Erik Karlsson remained optimistic after the Pittsburgh Penguins were smacked by the Ottawa Senators, 5-0, at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday. Not just about his team. But others as well. “We can go home,

Shane Pinto scored two special teams goals in the first period, Leevi Merilainen stopped 30 shots and the Ottawa Senators beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-0.

The Bruins fell to the Senators in a heartbreaker on Saturday after winning two straight games. Read more on Boston.com.

Opening faceoff is at 7 p.m. ET and you can watch it on ESPN+ ( plans start at $11.99/month). Washington (29-10-5, in the Metropolitan Division) last played on Tuesday night and beat visiting Anaheim 3-0 as Logan Thompson stopped all 19 shots. The Capitals are 6-1-3 in their last 10 games.

Tyler Kleven, Drake Batherson and Tim Stutzle also scored for the Senators. Claude Giroux added three assists as Ottawa won its sixth straight over Pittsburgh. Nedeljokvic was pulled midway ...

In a pivotal divisional game, the Ottawa Senators had one of their shakiest defensive games in quite some time. Their offensive game was phenomenal, though, as they were able to come away with a big 6-5 win.

Leevi Merilainen, who made 23 saves in regulation and overtime, turned away all three Bruins skaters in the tiebreaker. Josh Norris had two goals for Ottawa, and Stutzle had a goal and an assist in regulation. Nick Jensen and Adam Gaudette also scored.

New Jersey completes its set of back-to-back weekend matinees on Sunday against the Ottawa Senators. This game is the second of two Next Generation Weekend games presented by RWJBarnabas Health. You can watch on MSGSN or listen on the Devils Hockey Network.

Tim Stutzle's shootout goal rallied the Ottawa Senators to a 6-5 win over the Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon.

At 5-on-5, the Bruins have allowed shot attempts at a higher rate than every team in the league since the calendar flipped. Only the Chicago Blackhawks, who find themselves in the basement of the NHL, have conceded more shots on target during that span. The Bruins have struggled mightily to limit shots.

Aliaksei Protas and Drake Batherson are two of the most exciting players to watch when the Washington Capitals face the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday, January 16 at 7:00 PM ET. Purchase tickets for this game at StubHub!